Book Ban Resources
Join the fight against book bans armed with the facts.

PEN America has documented nearly 23,000 book bans since the fall of 2021, a sweeping assault on the freedom to read. Book bans don’t just remove titles from shelves; they erase voices, limit ideas, and undermine the very foundation of a free, open society.
Whether you’re a teacher, librarian, parent, student, author, or simply a concerned citizen, this collection of resources will help you understand what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can take meaningful action. Explore the tools, data, and guidance you need to join the fight against censorship and defend the freedom to read.
What You Need to Know
PEN America has documented nearly 23,000 book bans across 45 states in public schools nationwide since 2021.
Vast numbers of the books removed from shelves in 2024-25 – pending investigation and permanently banned – came as a result of fear of legislation by school boards, administrators, and educators.
Of the 87 districts impacted by book bans in 2024-25, 70 contained evidence of a public response against censorship, whether from individuals, organized groups, or whole communities.
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2024-2025 Instances of School Book Bans by State

